The Town of Esperance residents love their small town located in the scenic northeast corner of Schoharie County, and would change little of its characteristics.
That’s according to the survey conducted by the Comprehensive Plan Committee with assistance from the Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency.
The survey was distributed in December 2007 to 861 eligible residents aged 18 and over.
The survey asked people a series of questions about the town’s character, economic development, public resources, quality of life, community resources, and housing.
Two hundred sixty-nine valid surveys, a 31 percent response rate, were returned, which is considered a more than adequate number for a survey.
This survey included a variety of fill-in-the-blank questions and also offered the opportunity for personal expressions, resulting in written comments, which were sifted through and reviewed.
According to the survey: 58.2 percent of respondents believe that Esperance has not changed and has not become less desirable to live in since purchasing their property in the town.
One hundred twenty-three respondents believe that the current land use laws are “just fine” and 61.1 percent of respondents believe that the required minimum lot size of 1.5 acres is adequate.
The three things people like best about their town are: Its rural character including the open space and scenic views; easy access to the Capital District, and the “freedom homeowners are entitled through property rights.”
Sixty-three point two percent of the respondents support measures to protect scenic views.
Respondents also believe that the qualities of drinking water as well as air and stream water are important environmental aspects that need to be protected.
Several types of protection techniques were suggested by survey takers including requirements on tree removal, height of buildings, and architecture.
Most respondents would like to see land in Esperance remain agricultural or rural residential-agricultural and concentrate commercial development along Routes 20 and 30A and in the Village of Esperance.
The fire company, ambulance service, and snow removal were broadly approved of by survey participants.
The ambulance company, composed of volunteers, received the highest approval rating.
Despite evident satisfaction with life in the town, there are aspects residents would improve if given the opportunity.
The three things people like least about the Town of Esperance are the prevalence of junk, taxes, and the lack of economic opportunity.
Sewage, or lack of, was the biggest concern on the list of items survey participants would like to improve. Eighty-seven respondents were dissatisfied with this service.
Respondents were also dissatisfied with the following services provided in the town: Activities for youth at 63 respondents, water service at 58 respondents, and cable service at 53 respondents.
In regards to local governance, the following regulations, according to survey results, should be more enforced and/or regulated: Junk (63 percent), cell towers (21 percent) and burn barrels (20 percent). Ninety-one respondents said that nothing should be less enforced or regulated.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee will utilize these results when implementing goals and objectives for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The information described above is available online at the following website at: http://www.schohariecounty-ny.gov/CountyWebSite/townesp/compplanupdate.html.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm in the Town Hall.